GREAT NORTHERN MALL: CLAY, NY
Brian Florence's Commentary:
Posted March 4, 2026
Great Northern Mall was Syracuse's mall destination for those in the northern and northwestern suburbs. I saw a couple movies here on date between 2004 and 2006. It was the local mall of my then-girlfriend.
I found it fitting to mention a mall that, when we started Dead Malls, was thriving and never on anyone's radar. And today, it is being demolished.
And not to be outdone by other irony, but the parking lot contained one of the last remaining old-school Toys 'R Us buildings that hasn't been torn down.
Covid did a number on a lot of malls, but I wonder if we hadn't shut down society and shifted our retail mindset from in-person destinations to a van pulling into our driveway's to drop stuff off on the porch, would it have survived? Mall owners bet on trends, ones where shopping continues, human presence in the mall is desired, and where money is spent -- not just continually, but improving, growing, and increasing over time. But, what goes up, always must come down.
The mall closed officially in November of 2022, and as of today March 4, 2026, is being torn down.
In January of 2021 in the height of covid and the accompanying retail exodus, I met up with a friend and did a walk through, taking a ton of pics. I will post them soon.
Links:
Demolition begins at Great Northern Mall as developer keeps looking for new partner
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